In the pursuit of sustainable waste management, Ecovidrio, a non-profit organization responsible for managing glass packaging recycling in Spain, has teamed up with ennomotive, an open innovation platform, to tackle a pressing challenge – improving the efficiency of glass collection in the HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, and Café) sector.
Ecovidrio’s glass recycling system has been in place since 1998, with the organization playing a crucial role in establishing a sustainable approach to managing glass waste. However, the current system for dumping glass waste into street containers presents several challenges that hinder the overall efficiency and convenience of the process.
The main issue lies in the handling of the trash bins used by bars and restaurants. These bins, often weighing up to 40 kg when full, can be difficult to maneuver, leading to spillage of glass and liquids onto the street. This not only creates an occupational hazard for the staff but also compromises the quality of the collected material, potentially introducing contaminants that can impact the recycling process.
To address these challenges, Ecovidrio has launched an open innovation challenge in collaboration with ennomotive. The objective is to encourage engineers, companies, tech centers, startups, and academia to submit innovative solutions that can revolutionize the glass collection process in the HORECA sector.
The challenge is focused on two key areas:
1. Assisted Tipping System: Participants are invited to propose a new system that enables easy, fast, and safe emptying of the bins into the larger street containers. This system should aim to reduce the physical strain on the staff and minimize the risk of spills and contamination.
2. Comprehensive Solution: Participants can also submit a more holistic solution that includes a new type of bin for storing the glass on the premises, as well as a streamlined process for transporting and unloading the glass into the street containers.
To incentivize participation and reward the best solutions, Ecovidrio is offering an immediate reward of EUR 5,000, to be shared among the top submissions. Furthermore, the challenge winner will receive an additional EUR 10,000 to support the prototyping and implementation of their solution in collaboration with Ecovidrio.
This strategic initiative by Ecovidrio and ennomotive highlights the importance of collaboration and open innovation in addressing complex sustainability challenges. By engaging a diverse pool of talent, from engineering professionals to innovative companies and academia, Ecovidrio aims to unlock novel solutions that can significantly improve the efficiency and convenience of glass packaging collection in the HORECA sector, ultimately driving higher recycling rates and a more sustainable future.
Source: Ecovidrio with additional information added by GlassBalkan
